LOCAL MP Fiona Bruce is urging residents to oppose plans which could see Sunday trading hours extended, claiming it could have an impact on the health of well-being of her constituents.

The Congleton MP is hoping as many people as possible will have contributed to the Government consultation – which ended last Wednesday on whether Sunday trading rules should be devolved to local authorities.

At present the law states large stores can only trade for six consecutive hours between 10am and 6pm.

But Mrs Bruce believes proposed changes could allow local authorities to amend restrictions on large shops to local preference, shopping habits and economic conditions to provide greater flexibility.

The Conservative MP says she is standing with local shopkeepers to tackle amendments to the current Sunday trading rules which could disadvantage small shops and impact on family life if local authorities subsequently decide to relax Sunday trading hours even further.

“If local authorities are given the power to decide the Sunday trading hours for their area the risk is there will be a ‘race to the bottom’ with every area scrambling to extend their trading hours... in a vain attempt to capture business,” said Mrs Bruce.

“However, the potential impact on the health and well-being of local people will mean that there will be a price to be paid if this happens. Everyone should be entitled to that one day within the week to spend with family and friends to enjoy among themselves. Extending Sunday Trading hours would place more pressure on family lifestyle and relationships between families and their children.”

She added: “Staff already experience long hours throughout the week and Sunday is used to relax, recover and spend time with loved ones. Even without these planned amendments there is already immense pressure on staff with two thirds feeling forced to work Sundays.

“Additionally, the planned changes could palace greater pressure on local businesses which are continuously fighting online shopping and large retailers, further eroding the business for small shops from local communities, in Alsager, Congleton, Goostrey, Holmes Chapel, Middlewich and Sandbach.

“As Member of Parliament for the Congleton Constituency with its wealth of valuable small and independent retailers I urge my constituents to record their views with the Government’s consultation to ensure we keep Sunday Trading hours as they are with no further extension.”

Not all shop workers agree however. Lyndsey Chadwick-Hinett, who manages Demeter Wholefoods in Sandbach, said: “Personally I don’t have any issue with Sunday trading. If a business wants to open they should be able to. Well-run businesses should be able to rotate their staff and take their staff’s views into consideration if they don’t want to work Sundays.”

Anybody who wants to take part in the consultation, which ends today, should email their views to Sunday.trading@bis.gsi.gov.uk by the end of today.